Handbook home
Research Methods in Geography (GEOG90029)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | February |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
The subject provides a conceptual and practical overview of the diverse research methods used in geography. It is designed to help commencing Master of Geography students (or equivalent) prepare for their research projects, and is taught in intensive mode in February. Topics covered include the scope of geographical research, the socio-political context of research, research design, sampling design and data collection, data analysis and presentation, project feasibility and management, ethics, oral and written presentation skills. Practical skills will include a range of quantitative and qualitative methods used by geographers.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Identify and critically evaluate the principles underlying quantitative and qualitative research methods used in geography;
- Articulate and explain select methods of contemporary geography;
- Effectively apply select quantitative and qualitative methods related to geography, appropriate to the area encompassed by the student's thesis topic;
- Compose and communicate an appropriate geographical research question;
- Conceive, design, and communicate a research proposal.
Generic skills
This subject will significantly help students develop skills in the areas of problem solving, research philosophies and design, data analysis, written and oral communication, group work, human ethics, and project management.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
On-line quiz based on pre-reading of text
| Due before the first class; | 15% |
Spatial analysis report, due last day of teaching
| End of the teaching period | 20% |
Data analysis report
| 2 Weeks after the end of teaching | 30% |
Research design proposal
| 4 Weeks after the end of teaching | 35% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Catherine Phillips Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 (Introductory day of 6 hours, then 5 hours per day over six days, spread over three weeks in February) Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 19 January 2020 Teaching period 17 February 2020 to 29 February 2020 Last self-enrol date 24 January 2020 Census date 21 February 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 March 2020 Assessment period ends 4 April 2020 February contact information
Additional delivery details
Students are to read the prescribed text and complete the pre-teaching on-line quiz.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Clifford, N., Cope, M., Gillespie, T., French, S. (eds) 2016 Key Methods in Geography. 3rd edition. Sage
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Geography Informal specialisation Environmental Geography - Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022